Subspecies Scolypopa australis cognata Melichar, 1898

Scolypopa australia cognata Melichar, adult.

© Copyright Murray Fletcher, Orange Agricultural Institute.

Museums

Regional Maps

• Scolypopa australis cognata Melichar, L. 1898. Vorläufige Beschreibungen neuer Ricaniiden. Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 48: 384-400 [396].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) NHMW 2 sex unknown, locality unknown.

Introduction

This was originally created as a colour variant by Melichar (1898) but examination of the male genitalia by Fletcher (2008) has demonstrated that there are some differences in the structure of the aedeagus between S. australis cognata and typical S. australis which may be sufficient to recognise this subspecies as a distinct species within the genus Scolypopa. However a revision of the genus is needed to determine species limits in order to assess the significance of the differences observed in this taxon. S. a. cognata was reported to be damaging staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) but S. australis has also been collected in the Sydney region on this host, among many others.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

Ecological Descriptors

All stages: pest, phloem feeder (associated flora: Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr. [POLYPODIACEAE] Elkhorn Fern).

Diagnosis

Von der Stammform durch die ganz hyalinen Flügeldecken ausgezeichnet, blos der Costalrand ist braun gesäumt. Der Hinterrand der Flügel nicht rauchbraun (Melichar 1898).

Diagnosis References

Melichar, L. 1898. Vorläufige Beschreibungen neuer Ricaniiden. Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 48: 384-400 [396]

General References

Fletcher, M.J. 2008. A key to the genera of Ricaniidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) recorded in Australia with notes on the Australian fauna, including a new species of Epithalamium Kirkaldy. Australian Journal of Entomology 47: 107-120 [118]

History of changes